Sci-Fi fan-favorite actress is media Guest of Honor for new pop culture convention featuring Kids Need to Read, along with comics, top authors, artists, gaming, costumes, live music, and more.

Nichelle as "Uhura" in the original Star Trek series

"You created a role with dignity and beauty and grace and intelligence. You're not just a role model for our children, but for people who don't look like us to see us for the first time as equals." -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Nichelle Nichols

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) June 23, 2012

Space City Con is honored to welcome Star Trek icon and former NASA recruiter, Nichelle Nichols, making a home-coming of sorts to Houston. Nichols, in addition to making TV history for women and African-Americans, has been an inspiration for people of many generations to follow their dreams and reach for the stars.

Once the Star Trek TV series ended, she worked for NASA in Houston, during the 70's and early 80's as part of a program to encourage African-American youth to consider math and science careers and to recruit women and minority astronauts for NASA. She recruited Dr. Sally K. Ride, US Air Force Col. Guion Bluford (the first African-American in space), Dr. Judith Resnik and Dr. Ron McNair.

The convention is not only a “pop culture, summer Geek festival” but with Kids Need to Read and SpaceUp Houston among the featured guests, it is an educational event for all ages, in the KNTR theme of “Inspiring Imagination”. It is thus appropriate that the director chose Nichols as keynote celebrity guest, for she bridges the gap between the worlds of scientific exploration, the human spirit, and the limitless horizons Star Trek encouraged mankind to reach for, out among the stars.

Nichols will host interactive panels at the Westin Galleria Ballroom on Saturday, August 11th & Sunday, August 12th of the convention, along with scheduled autograph sessions and professional photo opportunities in Woodway Hall. This is a rare & special chance to meet the acclaimed actress, who is considered a part of both the global Star Trek and NASA families.

Nichols is joined by fellow Trek-genre actors Bobby Quinn Rice, of the fan-driven Star Trek: Phase II which carries the torch of Gene Rodenberry's original series, and Joseph Gatt, who has a role in the upcoming second Trek film by J.J. Abrams.

Space City Con is an all-ages festival of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, literature, and art, in the spirit of Houston, Texas! Envisioned as a "geek festival with free parking," SCC is conveniently located at the Westin Galleria convention center & hotel, August 10–12, 2012. Our goal is to put on the best convention possible for current generations of fans, and instill a love of comics, Sci-fi and fantasy in the next generation.